Let ‘Slow TV’ Be Your Visual Xanax

There are tons of lists on this vast internet that give recommendations for shows that will make you laugh, cry, scream in terror, and writhe with anticipation between episodes, but if you’re looking for something that is none of those things but still wonderful, might we recommendSlow TV? Oh, what isSlow TV, you ask? Slow TV is magical if, like me, your idea of magical is hours of mundane activities like knitting competitions and train rides shot in real time. Slow TV originated in Norway, holding a truly bonkers level of popularity in their home country, with 2 million people tuning into the aforementioned 7.5 hour long train ride. Although Jimmy Kimmel once roastedNational Knitting Evening (did you think I was joking about these premises?) back in 2013, that’s about where Slow TV’s exposure in the United States ended — until now. Netflix, our unsung heroes, have decided to change that. Today, Netflix added 11 Slow TV titles to its catalog. It’s pretty exciting, but in a low-key way, like a day at the beach or a trip to Target. Which are actually also great ideas for Slow TV specials.

Train Ride Bergen to Oslo is maybe the best descriptor of this confounding series: a train picks passengers up, you look at a lot of sunny mountainsides, sometimes it goes through tunnels, and it all takes about 7 hours. Don’t expect any major plot twists or even the slightest bit of conflict on the aptly named Slow TV. They are documentary programs, shot without a script and featuring real people, when it features people at all. The series is accurately summed up by a woman at the beginning of National Knitting Evening: “A passion that many of us share, but not everyone understands.” She’s referring to knitting, but could be describing the appeal of any of the episodes.

It’s kind of mind-boggling to imagine something like Slow TV doing so well on, say, NBC. Would Americans tune in at all, let alone watch until the end? Who knows! But Norwegians sure do, and the numbers prove it. I can’t stress enough how incredibly popular these broadcasts have been at the time of the airing, with more than half the population of the country tuning in for some of them. When you do actually watch them, it gradually becomes clear why people like watching absolutely nothing happen at glacial pace. Something about it is enthralling! You have to see the train get to the station, you have to find out if more wood will be added to the fire, you have to find out if the knitters break their record.

It’s relaxing, the visuals are beautiful, and it’s strangely fun to step outside of your own life for a couple of hours to spy on other people’s while they just chill. Think of Slow TV as if someone combined guided mediation, Instagram filters, and The Sims, injected it with some sleepytime tea, and then aired that on television. And who doesn’t love all of those things? It’s niche, yes, but so is all the best stuff.